What kind of data do scientists use to study climate?

When scientists focus on climate from before the past 100-150 years, they use records from physical, chemical, and biological materials preserved within the geologic record. Organisms (such as diatoms, forams, and coral) can serve as useful climate proxies.

Where can I find reliable information about climate change?

Credible sources. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assesses the peer-reviewed literature on climate change every 5 to 6 years. Their assessment reports, which are also peer-reviewed, are a credible source of information.

How do scientists measure climate?

Climate change is most commonly measured using the average surface temperature of the planet. For this reason, scientists traditionally use a period of at least 30 years to identify a genuine climate trend.

Who identified climate change?

In the 1860s, physicist John Tyndall recognized Earth’s natural greenhouse effect and suggested that slight changes in the atmospheric composition could bring about climatic variations.

What is the primary source of climate change?

Humans—more specifically, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that human activity generates—are the leading cause of the earth’s rapidly changing climate today. Greenhouse gases play an important role in keeping the planet warm enough to inhabit.

Which type of climate is similar to continental climates?

Regions with mild and continental climates are also called temperate regions. Both climate types have distinct cold seasons. In these parts of the world, climate is influenced mostly by latitude and a region’s position on the continent. Mediterranean climates have warm summers and short, mild, rainy winters.

Which of the following are indicators of climate change?

Ten Clear Indicators Our Climate is Changing

• Air temperatures over land are increasing.
• Arctic sea ice is decreasing.
• Glaciers are melting.
• Sea levels are rising.
• Ocean heat content is increasing.
• Sea surface temperature is increasing.
• Snow is decreasing.
• Earth’s lower atmosphere temperature is increasing.

How do we measure climate change?

Climate change is most commonly measured using the average surface temperature of the planet.